Ball Corporation pilots “cool to the touch” aluminum cups, towards plastic phase-out

28 Aug 2019 --- Ball Corporation will be piloting its “infinitely recyclable” aluminum cups in the US. The cups were developed over the past several years as an alternative to plastic cups for use at home and in other areas where plastic cups are common, including indoor and outdoor venues across the country. The pilot will produce a limited supply of aluminum cups through 2020 for use in such locations, which will include entertainment venues and major concessionaires, will plans to roll out the operation to retail and foodservice planned for the future.

Ball’s research shows that 67 percent of US consumers say they will visit a venue more often if they use aluminum cups instead of plastic cups and that 78 percent of consumers expect beverage brands to use environmentally friendly containers in the next five years.

Aluminum Cup by Ball Corporation.“Our research shows that more than half of consumers enjoy the experience of drinking from the cup. In addition to its sustainability benefits, the aluminum cup is sturdy, durable, cool to the touch and offers consumers an enhanced beverage drinking experience. The majority of consumers surveyed also would prefer establishments that serve cold beverages in the new aluminum cup,” Sebastian Siethoff, General Manager of Aluminum Cup at Ball Corporation, tells PackagingInsights.

Siethoff notes the company is looking forward to ramping up production of aluminum cups in 2020 and eventually expanding the operation in restaurants, bars, convenience stores, breweries and retail locations. “For the meantime, we hope the aluminum cup becomes a mainstay offering at sports and entertainment venues as customers and consumers continue to look for ways to reduce their reliance on plastic,” he adds.

“As our customers and consumers increasingly seek sustainable beverage packaging options, the launch of the aluminum cup is a significant moment for our company,” said John A. Hayes, Chairman, President and CEO of Ball.

Infinitely recyclable and economically valuable aluminum is the most sustainable beverage packaging material and, like aluminum cans, aluminum cups can be easily recycled, highlights the company. The brand notes that 75 percent of the aluminum ever produced is still in use today.

In addition to its sustainability and recycling strengths, the aluminum cup can be customized with logos and graphics. The cup is currently available in a 20-ounce size, with additional sizes to be introduced in the future based on market demand.

The piloting of Ball Corporation’s aluminum cup follows the launch of Ever & Ever, a new aluminum canned water brand, owned by the parent company of Vita Coco – All Market Inc. (AMI) – released in a bid to disrupt the conventional water category which is dominated by single-use plastic bottles.

Divestment of tinplate steel aerosol packaging facilities
Ball Corporation has also announced an agreement to sell its tinplate steel aerosol packaging facilities in Garin and San Luis, Argentina, to Envases del Plata S.A., an Argentinian metal packaging company. The transaction is expected to close later this year and we expect the business will continue to be operated consistent with its successful long-term performance.

“Post-close, Ball will continue to serve the growing demand for sustainable aluminum aerosol containers and aluminum slugs around the world from its eight facilities located in Canada, Czech Republic, France, India, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States,” Renee Robinson, Director of Corporate Communications tells PackagingInsights.

“We are not able to disclose the details of this sale at this time,” she adds.

Ball's global aluminum aerosol business will continue to be led by Stan Platek, Vice President and General Manager of the company.

By Benjamin Ferrer